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The Wilkes Institute at St Luke’s - Palliative Care Research

Every day, people trust St Luke’s at some of the most important moments in their lives. We honour that trust through research and innovation, building the evidence to help us provide the best possible palliative and end of life care.

Building the evidence to advance palliative care

The Wilkes Institute at St Luke’s is committed to understanding what makes palliative care effective and using that knowledge to guide everyday practice. At the Wilkes Institute, research and education bring together researchers, staff, patients, families and carers to explore, question and advance how care is delivered for people living with a progressive illness and those close to them.

Our research strategy is built around six priorities: governance and procedures, infrastructure, activity and grant development, funding, collaboration and clinical and academic research development and leadership. This framework has helped us embed a strong research culture across the organisation and positioned St Luke’s as both a leader and active partner in palliative care research.

We work with research partners across the UK, including the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research at the University of Sheffield, and the Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre at Hull York Medical School. We also support staff to develop their own research ideas into grant applications for projects involving participants from the Hospice.

To grow our research capacity, we help our staff build their research skills and confidence with training and resources, including:

  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Informed Consent training through the NIHR

  • Library services at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHSFT to access the latest evidence

  • Yorkshire & Humber Community of Research Practice Internships

Looking ahead, our priorities include further enhancing research capacity and infrastructure, increasing staff involvement, and strengthening engagement with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), so that our learning continues to benefit patients and their families.

Palliative care research remains significantly under-resourced, and our work depends on continued investment and funding. You can learn more about the importance of hospice-based research via Hospice UK. To find out how you can help us continue this work, please contact us at wilkes@hospicesheffield.co.uk.

Current palliative care research studies at The Wilkes Institute

As part of our research strategy, we’re carrying out and contributing to a number of projects that add to an ongoing evidence base in palliative care, helping us understand what works and where we can improve.

The Wilkes Institute Research Team

The Wilkes Institute research publications

The Wilkes Institute staff actively contribute to palliative care research, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at national and international conferences. Here are examples from our 2025-2026 publications:

Output information

Publication date

Type of output

St Luke’s role

Publication Link

Advance care planning is a key aspect of palliative care and aims to establish patient preferences for future care, benefiting patients and their families. Palliative care, including advance care planning, is often provided by primary care physicians. Levels of advance care planning, however, remain low internationally. We aimed to conduct a systematic literature review to understand the barriers and facilitators encountered by patients when considering advance care planning conversations within the primary care setting.

31/10/2025

Paper

Author

View Publication

Patients with gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer have a high symptom burden; however, comparative data to other cancers is lacking. The aim is to determine symptom prevalence for people with GI cancer receiving specialist palliative care in the community.

18/09/2025

Paper

Author

View Publication

Integrating these five key aspects of physiotherapy and occupational therapy provision into community palliative rehabilitation could help ensure palliative patients receive the therapy they need.

22/04/2025

Paper

Author

View Publication

Presentation by Jane Manson

18/03/2025

Conference presentation

Supervised by SLH staff

View Publication

Conference poster presentation by Itzel Valderrama Benitez

18/03/2025

Presentation

Supervised by SLH staff

View Publication

Josephs Burden Conference poster

18/03/2025

Poster

Author

View Publication

Presented at NHS England meeting to Researchers in Yorkshire & Humber the challenges of setting up a research business in an independent hospice

13/03/2025

Presentation

Other

Not available

Speaker at Y&H research network meeting

13/03/2025

Presentation

Other

Not available

TMG membership should include the right multidisciplinary team members with the most appropriate skills, knowledge and experience from the conception of a trial question by, embedding representation from a wide team of clinical and academic colleagues including the CRN workforce. These case studies 2,3 involved CRNs performing this extended role but the underpinning theory could equally apply to Midwives and Allied Health Professionals.

26/11/2024

Poster

First Author

View Publication

Through the use of pre and post session questionnaires we hope to show increased knowledge and understanding around learning disabilities and autism and how accurate information sharing will ensure timely booking and attendance at an interactive ECHO session for those who are required to attend.

26/11/2024

Poster

First Author

View Publication

We hope to show increased knowledge of palliative and end of life care in the oncology team following attendance at the six ECHO sessions. Should the evaluation show a positive outcome the expectation is that the programme may be repeated annually.

26/11/2024

Poster

Author

View Publication

There is a recognition that Rehabilitative Palliative Care is important for this population but there is no clear consensus on delivery of this. There is a need for consensus building exercises and further research to standardise and refine models.

26/11/2024

Poster

First Author

View Publication

The community engagement tools that we are using at St Luke’s can aid the efficient use of community engagement resources by effectively determining the who, what, where, and how of community outreach. We believe that sharing our knowledge and experience of our engagement tools will support other hospices to effectively engage with their local communities using the resources available.

26/11/2024

Poster

Author

View Publication

Speaker at SLH Conference 2024

18/10/2024

Presentation

Other

Not available

Speaker at SLH conference 2024

18/10/2024

Presentation

Other

Not available

Speaker at SLH Conference 2024

18/10/2024

Presentation

Other

Not available

This article reports on the implementation and evaluation of an established technology-enabled collaborative learning programme (Project ECHO) at an independent UK hospice in the North of England over a 6-year period. Methods: An independent audit of collated, anonymised data from the programme is used to report attendance patterns and session evaluations. Results: The results show a gradual increase in attendances, programmes, sessions and hours of education, coupled with consistently positive evaluation reports. Conclusion: This supports existing evidence that Project ECHO is an effective method of delivering remote healthcare education, demonstrating impact on the first three levels of Moore’s education framework; participation, satisfaction and learning. Future expansion in terms of geography and topics covered is proposed, alongside enhanced evaluation methods to demonstrate impact at the higher levels of Moore’s framework.

10/10/2024

Paper

Author

View Publication

Conclusion This evaluation reports on the implementation of Project ECHO at an independent hospice in the North of England, and the delivery of training across the region. We demonstrate significant outreach in terms of attendances and sessions delivered, with self-reported evaluations showing further positive impact on attendees. Project ECHO has the potential to expand further in terms of geography and topics covered, and future developments should consider enhancing the evaluations to include further evidence of impact.

08/10/2024

Paper

Author

View Publication

Timely identification of dying in motor neurone disease enables optimal care, yet we know that healthcare professionals can fail to recognise when death is approaching. Clinical factors help predict the end of life in other terminal conditions. Examining these principles in motor neurone disease would help guide more accurate recognition of this critical phase.

28/07/2024

Paper

Author

View Publication

Elizabeth Abbeys paper

28/07/2024

Paper

Author

View Publication

Background Social homecare workers provide essential care to those living at home at the end of life. In the context of a service experiencing difficulties in attracting and retaining staff, we have limited knowledge about the training, support needs and experiences of this group. Conclusions Social homecare workers are essential for end-of-life care at home but are inadequately trained, often isolated and underappreciated. Our findings are important for policy-makers addressing this crucial challenge, and service providers in social and healthcare

29/02/2024

Paper

Author

View Publication

To investigate the extent to which palliative patients would accept sedation as a side effect of analgesia and to identify factors affecting decision-making.

22/02/2024

Paper

Author

View Publication

How St Luke’s Hospice is using ECHO to deliver Palliative Care training to medical staff in a Clinical Oncology Department in Egypt. McKenzie Smith M, Ghasemi L. Hospice UK annual conference.

11/01/2023

Poster

First Author

Not available

“Matters after death” - the development of a new undergraduate teaching module, to address a key educational need. Grassby R, Fingas S. Royal College of Physicians Regional Poster Competition.

10/01/2023

Poster

Author

Not available

SUPPORTED: SUPPORTING, ENABLING, AND SUSTAINING HOMECARE WORKERS TO DELIVER END-OF-LIFE CARE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY PROTOCOL. PLOS ONE. (Further detail awaited)

10/01/2023

Paper

Author

Not available

Yorkshire and Humber Palliative Care Research Network - Practitioner Backfill Scheme.

10/01/2023

Blog

Other

Not available

Insights into Advance Care Planning in Africa [German]. D Basirika, A Merriman, N Gumoyesige, E Namisango, E Matthews, S Guma. The Journal of Evidence and Quality in Healthcare. June 23. 180, 2023, 16-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.zefq.2023.04.012

06/01/2023

Paper

Author

Not available

Palliative Care Teaching in The New Internal Medicine Curriculum: Project Echo - An Innovative Approach to Postgraduate Education. Dr.Gemma C. Lee, Dr Laura McTague, Dr Peter Hammond, Dr Colin Jones, Dr Paul Taylor, Dr Sam Kyeremateng. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. doi: 10.1136/spcare-2022-004008

03/01/2023

Paper

Author

Not available

Recognising Dying in Motor Neurone Disease: A Scoping Review. Abbey L, Ali M, Cooper M, Taylor P, Mayland C. (Palliative Care Congress). BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2023;13:A27.

03/01/2023

Poster

Author

Not available

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of famotidine as a continuous subcutaneous infusion. Mascarenhas T, Brocklebank J, Pitsillides C, Davies J. 2023 Palliative Care Congress

03/01/2023

Poster

Other

Not available

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy in pain intensity and quality of life in adults with chronic low back pain: systematic review

02/01/2023

Master's dissertation

Supervised by SLH staff

Not available

Right needle, right patient, right time? A national flash-mob audit of thromboprophylaxis in palliative care. Alice Crabtree, Emily Kavanagh, Charlotte Chamberlain, Donna Wakefield, et al. Thrombosis Research, Volume 223, 2023, Pages 95-101,

01/01/2023

Paper

Acknowledgements

Not available

Establishing a research programme in an independent hospice. Taylor P, Kyeremateng S, Lenton J et al. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care. 12(3) https://spcare.bmj.com/content/12/Suppl_3/A31.2

11/01/2022

Poster

First Author

Not available

Creating virtual communities of practice for ambulance paramedics; a qualitative evaluation of the use of Project ECHO in end of life care. Hodge A, Manson J, McTague L, Kyeremateng S, Taylor P. British Paramedic Journal 2022. Nov. 7(3). 51-58

11/01/2022

Paper

Author

Not available

Measuring quality of dying, death and end-of-life care for children and young people: a scoping review of available tools. Mayland, Catriona; Sunderland , Katy; Cooper, Matthew; Taylor, Paul; et al. Palliative Medicine 2022; Sep 36(8). 1186-1206

09/01/2022

Paper

Author

Not available

How can we measure quality of dying, death, and quality of care at the end-of-life for children and young adults? A scoping literature review. For presentation at EAPC conference - details to follow.

05/01/2022

Presentation

Author

Not available

Transitioning Young People with Life-limiting Conditions from Child-Centred to Adult-Oriented Services: Parents’/ Carers’ Concerns & Priorities. Soman A, Hartley D, Kyeremateng S, Cutsey L, Camplbell J, Newbegin M, Hulme K. (Ref to be confirmed)

05/01/2022

Poster

Author

Not available

Emergency department presentations in palliative care patients: a retrospective cohort study. Taylor P, Stone T, Simpson R, Kyeremateng S, Mason S. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2022; 0. 1-4

03/01/2022

Paper

First Author

Not available

METHADONE PRESCRIBING AND OUTCOMES – A SERVICE EVALUATION TO REVIEW CHANGES IN PRACTICE. Pitsillides C, Ali M, Nicholson-Lailey A, Fingas S, Davies J. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2022;12(Suppl 2):P76

03/01/2022

Poster

Author

Not available

Mobile technology and delegated work in specialist community services: the EnComPaSS Integration project. Ariss SMB, Taylor P, Fitzsimmons D, Kyeremateng S, Mawson S. BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care 2021; 0:1-8

12/01/2021

Paper

Author

Not available

Enablement During a Pandemic: A narrative review of therapy in an In-Patient hospice setting during the Covid-19 pandemic

12/01/2021

Poster

Other

Not available

P-197 Care home virtual open-access integrated clinic and ECHO support: St Luke’s COVID-19 response. Westerdale-Shaw E, Ghasemi L, Manson J, et al. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2021;11:A80.

11/01/2021

Poster

Author

Not available

Experiences of surgical nurses in providing end-of-life care in an acute care setting: a qualitative study. Limbu T, Taylor P. British Journal of Nursing. 2021 Oct 14;30(18):1084-1089. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2021.30.18.1084.

10/01/2021

Paper

Author

Not available

Risk factors for oral cancer in Sudan: A systematic review

09/01/2021

Master's dissertation

Supervised by SLH staff

Not available

Opioid-induced constipation: a stepwise treatment algorithm feasibility study. Davies AN, Leach C, Butler C, et al. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care Published Online First: 04 August 2021. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002754

08/01/2021

Paper

Acknowledgements

Not available

Systematic review of factors influencing decisions to limit treatment in the emergency department. Walzl N, Sammy IA, Taylor PM, et al. Emergency Medicine Journal Published Online First: 03 March 2021. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2019-209398

03/01/2021

Paper

Author

Not available

Palliative care education in nursing homes: a qualitative evaluation of telementoring. Manson J, Gardiner C, Taylor P, et al. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care Published Online First: 24 February 2021. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002727

02/01/2021

Paper

First Author

Not available

The Challenges of Caring for People Dying From COVID-19: A Multinational, Observational Study (CovPall). Oluyase A, Hocaoglu M, Cripps R et al. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Available online.

02/01/2021

Paper

Other

Not available

Opioid-induced constipation in patients with cancer: a “real-world,” multicentre, observational study of diagnostic criteria and clinical features. Davies A, Leach C, Butler C et al. Pain. 162:1. 309-318

01/01/2021

Paper

Acknowledgements

Not available

What are the barriers and facilitators to family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in an adult intensive care setting? A narrative review of the literature

09/01/2020

Master's dissertation

Supervised by SLH staff

Not available

Non-specialist physiotherapists perceptions of treating people with HIV in the UK: a small scale exploratory study. Strudley H. Journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Oncology and Palliative Care. Vol. 5. Spring 2020. pp 3-15.

07/01/2020

Paper

First Author

Not available

Evaluating an online tele-mentoring palliative care education programme for domiciliary care workers. Manson J, Ghasemi L, Westerdale E, Taylor P, Kyeremateng S, McTague L. Nursing Older People. 2020. doi: 10.7748/nop.2020.e1235

04/01/2020

Paper

First Author

Not available

112 Surveying the users of an open-access support service for people affected by an illness that has no cure. Battye E, Taylor P. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2020;10:A47-A48.

03/01/2020

Poster

Author

Not available

What are the Barriers and Facilitators to Palliative Care Education in Nursing and Residential Homes? – A Rapid Review. Manson J, Gardiner C, McTague L. International Journal of Palliative Nursing 2020. doi.org/10.12968/ijpn.2020.26.1.32

02/01/2020

Paper

First Author

Not available

Information and opportunities for researchers

To ensure our services are as effective as possible, it is important that we remain up to date with the latest evidence and promote a culture of research. In addition, many of our patients and clients, as well as their families and carers, tell us they would like to be involved in palliative care research, and we aim to make this as easy as possible. Below you’ll find the information, support and opportunities available for anyone interested in learning more about research or taking part.

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Get in touch

If you’d like to learn more about The Wilkes Institute at St Luke’s Hospice, explore opportunities to connect, or discuss how you can support the advancement of palliative care, we’d be happy to hear from you. Please email us at wilkes@hospicesheffield.co.uk to get in touch.

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Education at The Wilkes Institute at St Luke’s

Alongside our palliative care research, the Wilkes Institute brings together learning, collaboration and professional development for our own staff and the wider healthcare community. Browse our available courses and see how you can get involved.